Kids set a new record on TRACK Trails

Kids in Parks celebrated the opening of a new trail at Mount Mitchell State Park in 2016.

Kids in Parks had a great 2016, because so many kids ventured out on TRACK Trails for adventures, setting a new record of 2,800 hikes! That equals roughly 230 adventures per month, or more than seven registrations per day!

That’s great news, but we know even more kids, who didn’t register online, are hiking, biking, paddling, and playing disc golf on TRACK Trails. In fact, registration data in conjunction with onsite observational studies conducted by the North Carolina Center for Health and Wellness suggest that the program’s 2,800 registrations equate to 93,500 kids that have hiked 88,000 miles on TRACK Trails, spending nearly 44,000 hours outdoors, and burning approximately 13,000,000 calories last year. And, that’s just the kids! They’re coming in groups averaging 3.4 people; and therefore, those numbers can be multiplied to obtain the program’s larger health-based outcomes. The program is reaching even farther in its goal to get kids unplugged from electronic devices and get active.

These visits are also strengthening our partner parks, because kids who learn to love the outdoors grow up to be adults who protect our parks. It’s great to see them take the first steps in building a lifelong enjoyment of nature. Last year, 55 percent of registrants intentionally visited a park because of the TRACK Trail, and 51 percent indicated it was their first visit to the park. Eleven percent hiked for the first time, and 44 percent returned for another adventure. Many went on to visit more than one TRACK Trail location. The program is reaching even farther in its goal to get kids unplugged from electronic devices and get active.

Do you want to start a new adventure with your family this year? Visit KidsinParks.com for trail locations, activities, and more!